The ThinPrint Tracking Report Engine makes it possible to display data from the SQL database as an overview in a web browser. All significant information on print jobs can be summarized by various criteria, sorted, and graphically displayed.
You can analyze the data with the included Tracking Report Engine, or any other tool, to retrieve the database.
To analyze the tracking data, start your web browser and call up the website of the server that ThinPrint Tracking Report Engine is installed on:
http[s]://<webserver>/tracking
Example:
https://ps13/tracking
Enter the account created on the SQL server (in this example: TrackingService) which has write permissions for the database (in this example: PrintJobTracking).
Open the Tracking Report Engine in a web browser
Overview
The page Overview appears. You see the following information for analysis:
- Number of print jobs
- Color and b/w (grayscale)
- Simplex and duplex
- Paper consumption
- Color and b/w (grayscale)
- Simplex and duplex
You can also specify the information as follows:
| Function | Description |
| Group | Choice between a specific or all user groups (see Managing Groups) |
| Printer | Choice between a specific or all printers |
| Start | Start of a report period (display and input) |
| End | End of a report period (display and input) |
| Predefined | Choice of a report period |
Overview of number of printouts and paper usage
Distribution
The Distribution page allows analysis of which users, groups, or printers have printed the most. You can specify the information as follows:
| Category | Description |
| Print Jobs | Number of print jobs |
| Costs | Print costs for the number of pages printed by the respective selection (group(s) or users), taking into account printer-specific costs per page |
| Paper Consumption | Number of sheets used for printing |
| Simplex | Number of pages printed one-sided |
| Duplex | Number of pages printed on both sides |
| Black/White | Number of pages printed in black-and-white |
| Color | Number of pages printed in color |
| Errors | Number of failed print jobs |
| Group | Choice between a specific or all user groups (see Managing Groups) |
| Printer | Choice between a specific or all printers |
| Start | Start of a report period (display and input) |
| End | End of a report period (display and input) |
| Predefined | Choice of a report periods |
Ranking
Trend
The Trend page gives an overview of how the frequency of printing has developed across a set timeframe. The example in following screenshot shows a cost trend. See above for a description of available functions.
Additionally you have the option to display compression rates of print jobs, when printing with a ThinPrint Engine (arrow).
Displaying trends (here, number of print jobs)
Managing Groups
On the Manage Groups page you can define user groups to make the previous pages easier to read.
Defining user groups
If the Tracking Report Engine runs remotely and you wish to import groups from Active Directory, it is necessary to run the Tracking Report Engine in Internet Explorer. Additionally, you have to run the CASPOL (Code Access Security Policy Tool) script on the command line on the local computer.
- install caspol.exe (component of .NET Framework 3.5)
- run
caspol -m -ag All_Code -allcode FullTrust -n ThinPrint
Run Caspol script successfully
If you import a new group from Active Directory, you can also import users which have not yet printed. To do so, click the button Import group from Active Directory. Another window opens. Click Advanced, then choose the desired group from the Active Directory.
User import from Active Directory
Another window opens. If you click Find Now (arrow above right), groups are displayed. Checkmark the desired group and confirm with OK.
Select group from Active Directory
The selected group will be displayed with the included users.
Costs
On the Costs page you can define costs to analyze the financial effects of printing. Given values are the estimated values of toner and paper consumption. Because these costs can vary greatly for different printers and types of printouts, ThinPrint recommends changing the default values to reflect your individual factors.
To do so, select a Printer and enter its average costs.
| Function | Description |
| Currency | Enter a currency (three characters) |
| Printer | Select printer or change template (= default value) |
| New Paper Size | Define additional paper formats |
| Save Settings | Save cost values for b/w and color for the template or the selected printer |
| Delete | Delete paper format |
| Apply | Apply the same settings for other printers (multiple selection with Ctrl and Shift keys) |
Settings for estimated costs